The Cartographers’ Guild is a forum created by and for map makers and aficionados, a place where every aspect of cartography can be admired, examined, learned, and discussed. Our membership consists of professional designers and artists, hobbyists, and amateurs—all are welcome to join and participate in the quest for cartographic skill and knowledge.

Although we specialize in maps of fictional realms, as commonly used in both novels and games (both tabletop and role-playing), many Guild members are also proficient in historical and contemporary maps. Likewise, we specialize in computer-assisted cartography (such as with GIMP, Adobe apps, Campaign Cartographer, Dundjinni, etc.), although many members here also have interest in maps drafted by hand.

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ. You will have to register before you can post or view full size images in the forums.

It's one of my world's larger cities. There are no city walls, as the "tech" of my world includes flying sailing ships, which make walls fairly useless now. The white area is actually a drop off to open sky, and there will be docks for the airships there.

The city began as a small noble's fortress that later evolved into a small town, and then the capital city. Much of the city was damaged during a rather large war, then rebuilt. The central square that has the streets radiating from it was built then, and the seven streets are to represent the seven noble houses that rule the island now.

Not too shabby. I think you're headed in the right direction mostly, except I don't care too much for that big rectangular road thing in the middle...its either the fact that its rectangular, which doesn't suit wheeled travel very well, or the fact that the roads coming out of it seem somewhat awkwardly placed...I bet if you clean that up a little and/or make it rounded/ovaled it would probably improve the whole street layout really.

(Total Aside:
If there are flying ships, why are there bridges? Wouldn't there be flying carts and wagons as well? In fact, why are there even roads? I could imagine people just "landing" their wagons/carts/ships right on top of their houses, or mooring them to large posts that stick up from their homes.

If that were the case, the roads would really be more like sidewalks or paths.)

Yes, I agree about the big rectangle (square) in the middle that seems odd. Also, without knowing more about the technology of the setting I couldn't recommend too much regarding the roads. Did they actually "make" the roads, or are they natural paths that have been created over time? If they are more organic, I would say drop the roads, plop down the buildings where they would most likely have been constructed, and then allow the space between them to be the roads.

The "square" will be more obvious once I start putting buildings on. Basically, it's a central plaza that was built as a memorial of sorts when the city was rebuilt after a major war. That's probably not going to be it's final shape - buildings will overlap onto it.

The bridges - thanks - I knew they weren't looking right. I guess I'm going to have to go and draw them all by hand.

The largest of the roads that leads to the citadel is going to have a median down the center with trees.

The city is partially "organic" and partially planned. That is, the city was mostly just paths and such, and buildings built where ever, with roads then later paved between them. During the War of Coins (my worlds major war), the city was bombed/raided/etc, and during the rebuild, somethings were planned around what was still left standing.

As for why there are still roads - Airships are expensive, and are for primarily inter-island travel. Only the very rich would have their own private dock for an airship - every one else travels by foot or cart.

And you are drawing everything at real scale? Maybe your road is too big, or you need to create a new "suspension" bridge symbol? I don't know. I don't use those bridge symbols so I'm not sure how big they are supposed to be.

Re: City of Ironnesse: Where do I go from here?

Well, I've done a little bit more on this map. The main network of roads has been established, the bridges have been redone (I decided to go with "dual" bridges for my main boulevards - one bridge for each direction of travel) in "standard" format, and I've begun adding buildings with the Random Streets commands.

I like the bridges much better, and the 'dual bridges' gives it a unique look. It real be interesting to see how it takes shape as you feel in all the gaps. I'm assuming you'll also be deleting some of the houses for larger buildings and such as well?